On the basis of guidelines issued by The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, admission to Emmanuel Christian Seminary is granted on the basis of the following criteria:
Masters programs
- A baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning accredited by a US agency recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the demonstrated educational equivalent of a North American baccalaureate degree
- Evidence of academic, personal, and spiritual preparation that demonstrate potential for making a contribution to church and society
- Evidence of capability for continued graduate-level studies, having developed to a satisfactory degree the ability to think independently, to communicate effectively, and to research adequately, as indicated in writing up a critical incident from ministry experience.
- A broad undergraduate education with a strong general education core is desirable
Doctoral Program
- An earned Master of Divinity or its equivalent from an institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools††.
- Three years of ministerial experience.
- Evidence of academic, personal, and spiritual preparation that demonstrate potential for making a contribution to church and society.
- Evidence of capability of graduate-level studies, having developed to a satisfactory degree the ability to think independently, to communicate effectively, and to research adequately.
- A broad undergraduate education with a strong general education core is desirable.
Emmanuel Christian Seminary welcomes qualified students regardless of age, race, sex, disability, color, or national or ethnic origin. Admission is open to qualified students from any church body or theological tradition.
Provisional Status:
The Admissions Committee will determine any deficiencies and will specify how they are to be made up. Students with such deficiencies may be admitted provisionally, but restricted as to the number of Emmanuel courses they may take until the requirements are met. No student can apply for degree candidacy while on provisional admittance status.
†Under exceptional circumstances, a student without a baccalaureate degree may be admitted to the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, or Master of Christian Ministries program on a probationary status. The rare exception to this policy will be based upon the normal considerations for admission, plus age, years of experience, and history of excellence in ministry. The Academic Dean, with the assistance of the Admissions Committee, will review any exceptions. History of excellence in ministry is assessed on the basis of a letter of recommendation from an official representative of the applicant’s church, references from 2 additional persons (4 total references) acquainted with the applicant’s ministry, and an essay on the applicant’s goals for graduate studies written by the applicant and demonstrating a sound rationale for the exception. The letter of recommendation, references, and essay must be submitted to the Dean’s office along with the application to the program. Once a provisionally-accepted student has successfully completed 18 credit hours in the appropriate program with a 3.0 or better, the probationary status will be removed.
††MDiv equivalency will be determined in reference to Emmanuel’s MDiv program guidelines. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Doctor of Ministry Admissions Committee.
